Multiboxing and bot-farming? When will SE draw the line?

[Timberwolf]

I understand there are plenty of folks who multibox. Got it. I also understand that it is legal. Of course it is, that's 2-6x the amount of income from one player for SE, right? But there is a point where the gray area needs to be labeled red, and draw the line. I'm looking to see who agrees and would like to see SE address it.

I did my share of dual-boxing in FFXI. Slap that high level RDM on /follow and heal as you go. But what about when it comes to the use of semi-automation in order to sit and farm highly saught-after items (in this case, Diremite webs west of Fallgourd Float) for hours on end? When you have 6 toons all using a specific pattern of abilities, regardless of situation (curing when not needed, attacking the closest Banemite, regardless of who's tagged it, never tagging more than one at a time), and following a specific and repetitive route... it seems a bit odd.

(Continued)

[Timberwolf]

When a person replies to a /tell (or in this case, sends you one as you're abusing thier bot by tagging mobs before them), does that mean it's now okay? Because someone is sitting behind the keyboard to DRIVE the automation?

My point is this - Hurrah for multiboxers, it's a bit of a task. But once it is being used to drive a monopoly on items, and in the process skyrocketing prices (why does a higher level mat sell for 60, when these webs sell for 600+?) and weakening an already shakey economy, my friends and I agree it's too much. How would this issue get addressed without endangering the more 'legit' multiboxers? And how much of an outcry is needed for SE to even look into it? Too often it seems, as long as it's making them more money, a blind eye is turned. (It IS a business, after all...)

[Appleh4x]

Diremite webs are ridiculously overpriced,but can't you also just do dungeon runs to get them instead of camping fallgourd float if it's full?

[Marael]

Diremite webs are ridiculously overpriced,but can't you also just do dungeon runs to get them instead of camping fallgourd float if it's full?

you could do that... and get faaaaaar fewer webs than you would even fighting off botters. The problem isn't that there is another way to get them. The problem is that people are botting in the first place. Put blame where it belongs, not on the person complaining about bots, but on the bots themselves.

[Bufkus]

If the farmer is actually playing at his computer than how is it any different than someone with just one character farming? If he's there for 24+ hours then he's legit botting and should be banned, but most multiboxers are actually playing the game.

[LordSideKicks]

Last sunday I mentioned in another thread in this and got flame bad by multi box users. Guess what the same teams of 6 character multi boxing is now lvl 3x-4x farming fate in highland. All 6 do the same attack and get on chocobos the same time and follow the "leader" . Well coordinated players or third party program?

[SukoshiSeppen]

No. SE has this ability setup in their own options.

Step 1. Windowed mode
Step 2. Set all game client to allow use of controller when window is inactive.
Step 3. Setup good macros for each extra client
Step 4. Profit.

SE even allows 3 clients off one service account to be active at the same time. Its how me and my wife could both play on the same tv.

[LordSideKicks]

No. SE has this ability setup in their own options.

Step 1. Windowed mode
Step 2. Set all game client to allow use of controller when window is inactive.
Step 3. Setup good macros for each extra client
Step 4. Profit.

SE even allows 3 clients off one service account to be active at the same time. Its how me and my wife could both play on the same tv.

If you can show me a tutorial in this good macro and 6 characters with same class? Lol.
I got a feeling that group of 6 I saw is not doing anything good. More like plvling to sell characters.

[Timberwolf]

Beyond that, I even have a screenshot of said person defending themselves saying that they're not a bot, they're using the "isboxer" program, which he claims is legal. In short: "I'm using a 3rd party program to manage the characters!" Lol

[ForteXX]

Really, multiboxing (if I understand it right) is botting. You yourself are playing on a single character, while a program is using the 2nd character (even if you are at the keyboard).